Anthony Vaccarello Exits Saint Laurent After a Decade
Saint Laurent has confirmed that Anthony Vaccarello is stepping down from the Kering-owned Paris label. The house credited him with shaping its identity and cultural influence over 10 years and said a new creative leader will be named soon. Chemena Kamali, now creative director at Chloé, is widely expected to succeed him.
Saint Laurent announced Vaccarello’s exit on Friday, after Paris Fashion Week chatter about his future. The Belgian designer, 44, had led the Kering-owned house for ten years. His spring 2027 all-gold runway moment, staged beneath chandeliers with the Eiffel Tower glowing nearby, was read by many as a possible farewell.
Chemena Kamali, now Chloé’s creative director, is widely tipped to return. She previously oversaw women’s ready-to-wear design at Saint Laurent under Vaccarello from 2016 to 2023. Kering told analysts the change reflects long-term brand goals, not recent financial results, and that upcoming collections should not be disrupted.
The transition may affect luxury consumers, retail staff, and fashion workers tied to Saint Laurent and Chloé. A new creative direction could shift product focus toward women’s daywear, menswear, leather goods, and Asian markets, potentially altering what shoppers see and how brand identity evolves. Kamali’s possible move may also reshape Chloé’s trajectory. The cultural ripple could extend to fashion media, runway coverage, and fans who identify with Vaccarello’s era.